Meet Bradey, our new IOME counselor!
We are thrilled to welcome Bradey to the IOME team!
Bradey is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate that will be primarily working out of our Windsor, Eaton, and Greeley locations. He is going to add so much value to our community with his expertise in Sports Performance, Men's Issues, Anxiety, Depression, Stress Management, Relationships, Health and Wellness, and Much More! He will also have early morning and later evening availability.
We asked Bradey a few questions so the IOME Community can get to know him better, check out his answers below!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am originally from South Dakota, but have called Colorado home for the past 7 years. My wife and I met in high school and dated throughout college. We love to travel and enjoy the adventure of new experiences. We recently welcomed our first child into the world last year. I love doing dad-life and enjoy spending time with my family in the great outdoors. We have two pups who love to hike and run at my side when I am mountain biking.
Why did you become a mental health therapist?
Life transitions can be difficult. As a former student-athlete in college, I witnessed this sentiment firsthand. For the first few years of my undergraduate experience I struggled to balance my athletic, school, and social expectations during a developmentally significant time in my life. Fortunately, I was able to find the support I needed in order to thrive in my final years of college. This sparked an interest in supporting other young adults going through similar life transitions. Over the years, I have worked with a broad range of individuals and have been able to expand the populations that I have a passion for serving as a counselor.
Why did you decide to work for IOME?
IOME strives to create an environment that is different from most group practices. This goes for clients and providers. I was pumped to have the opportunity to work in an environment that truly values each and every individual, and that practices what they preach. IOME’s focus on self care was a huge driving force in my decision to join the team.
Why do you believe self care is nonnegotiable?
Self-care can be hard! But just because something is hard does not mean it is not worth doing. I believe that self-care serves as the foundation for any individual seeking to be physically and mentally healthy. Living a healthy life can feel overwhelming at times with so many pressures in the world and obstacles to overcome. Embracing self-care provides a vital toolkit for managing these challenges, nurturing resilience, and ultimately fostering a more balanced and fulfilling life. Is it challenging? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely!
How do you incorporate guilt free self care into your daily routine?
I am constantly tuning in to my body - I love to use mindfulness as a tool to check in on my self-care “temperature” for the week. I love to stay busy and active, so I often need to take deliberate time out of my day to stop and ask myself, what am I thinking, feeling and doing? If any of these pieces are not in alignment with who I want to be, I know it is time to think about incorporating other components of my self-care routine. This often looks like taking time to do activities I enjoy like hiking or mountain biking. Sometimes, it just looks like taking a few hours to ground myself in a calming activity like drawing. I am always asking myself, what do I hope to get out of my self-care routine at this moment (what do I need)? Does the activity I have selected help me to meet that goal (does this thing actually help me with what I need)?
Who is your ideal client? Who do you love working with the most?
I view counseling as a collaborative journey. I am excited to work with individuals who are willing to actively participate in their own transformative process. Clients do not have to be perfect (I certainly am not), and I love when a client is willing to acknowledge and address the aspects of their life that require change or improvement. This level of openness paves the way for meaningful progress and lasting change. I also enjoy having fun! I believe being able to laugh about life, the good and the bad, is fundamental to happiness. I think it is important to understand the challenges my clients face. This enables me to effectively connect and engage with clients in a meaningful way. This means I work most with adolescents, college students, and young adults; however, I love to expand on my life perspectives when working with clients who may not meet this demographic.
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about starting therapy?
The process of starting therapy can be scary. Not to mention, life can be busy! But I view therapy as an investment in yourself. The time you dedicate in the therapy space can have a life-changing impact - and you are worth it! Taking that step demonstrates a genuine commitment to your well-being. Therapy is a dedicated space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and challenges with a trained professional who is focused on supporting you. It's a difficult, yet courageous stride toward personal growth.